Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag’s reaction to Louis van Gaal message speaks volumes
Crisis? Not for us – Erik ten Hag can see Man Utd progress after Chelsea win
Erik ten Hag won’t be happy with how his second season as Manchester United manager has unfolded thus far, having finally been caught up by the mass adversity he has faced since taking the job. But his recent comments prove that he is the right candidate to restore former glories at Old Trafford despite Louis van Gaal’s concerns.
Ten Hag quickly made his mark in English football, ending United’s six-year trophy drought at the first time of asking by lifting the Carabao Cup in February.
The Dutchman also secured a third-place finish in the Premier League and a Champions League return, later becoming the joint-fastest United manager to reach 50 wins.
But that milestone has been one of few positives this term, with the Red Devils sixth in the Premier League, out of the Carabao Cup and on the brink of a Champions League Group A exit.
It’s the season many expected the club to endure during Ten Hag’s first at the helm, so he won’t be surprised by the challenges he faces.
Neither will former United boss Van Gaal, who warned his compatriot against accepting the job last summer after lasting just two years in the hot seat from 2014 to 2016.
He said: “Erik ten Hag is a great coach, and that is always good for Manchester United.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
READ MORE Transfer news LIVE as Man Utd keen on swap deal and Liverpool eye £25m ace[BLOG]
“But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it’s a difficult choice for a coach. He’d better go to a football club.
“I’m not going to advise him. He’ll call me himself. But he must choose a football club and not a commercial club.”
But Ten Hag didn’t pay attention. The 53-year-old has acknowledged it’s one of the hardest jobs in football, but he’s determined to break the streak of Sir Alex Ferguson’s unsuccessful successors.
“Everyone was telling me ‘You can’t succeed in that job’,” Ten Hag told United fanzine United We Stand.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
DON’T MISS
Arsenal eye replacement for star Zinchenko rates higher than Man City ace[TRANSFERS]
Arsenal make Man Utd rue decision as Erik ten Hag told of dressing room blow[NEWS]
Erik ten Hag decision hints at Man Utd reverting to Rasmus Hojlund plan[COMMENT]
“They said it was impossible. Me? I wanted the challenge. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it was such a great club with such a great fanbase.
“People love Manchester United, or they are against Manchester United. I like clubs like this. Ajax was like this.”
Ten Hag still has the backing of most of his players; that much was clear in his side’s reinvigorated performance in their 2-1 win against Chelsea on Wednesday.
He will know better than anyone else how far United are from reaching where he plans to go, though, and has proven he will stay true to his beliefs to get there.
Source: Read Full Article
